Fyda Freightliner Invests in Cascadia Simulator

Technicians check out the new Cascadia Simulator (image courtesy of Fyda Freightliner)

Fyda Freightliner took delivery of a New Cascadia simulator to be used as a core piece of training for the company's approximately 106 service technicians that work at its seven locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The simulator was supplied by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and includes a fully-functioning dashboard which can be connected to and run the Detroit Diesel GHG17 training engine, allowing the technician in training to see the interaction between the tractor and the engine.

“I am so excited to begin using the New Cascadia simulator for our service technician training sessions. It allows much more interactive training without needing to use an actual tractor,” said Rick Higinbotham, Fyda Freightliner company trainer. "It's a great training aide for me as well as our student technicians. During our training sessions, the student technicians will be able to see and do much more on the simulator as compared to a truck tractor, such as component removal and testing that wouldn't normally be able to occur when using an actual truck tractor.”

Higinbotham has been Fyda's company trainer for almost 19 years and works closely with the service managers to keep Fyda's service technicians certified and optimized for the highest level of productivity possible.

The New Cascadia simulator is a fully-functioning training aide. It includes the vehicle ECU (electronic control unit), interactive ICU (instrumental control unit), all switches, motors, door control modules, lighting, adjustable mirrors, blend air (HVAC), and etc. DiagnosticLink 8, computer-based diagnostic program, connects to the simulator and is fully functional.

Fyda Freightliner is always looking to hire quality service technicians at all dealership locations and provides training and certification. Interested parties may apply online at www.fydafreightliner.com.

Related: Fyda Freightliner Offers Mobile Diagnosis of Repairs

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New Wheel Covers Hide Fasteners for Optimized Aerodynamics

ATLANTA -- Deflecktor has designed a new generation of aerodynamic wheel covers, which it says offer a more aerodynamic shape because the fastening system is entirely contained behind the smooth, aerodynamic wheel cover face.

“This is the first cover that the fastening system isn't taking the front seat to the aerodynamic shape,” explained company founder Jon Fleck at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. “The aerodynamic shape is optimized. There's no buttons, there's no brackets, there's no nuts and bolts.”

The company took a similar approach to design covers for the front axle, which deals specifically with the paddlewheel effect. “The paddlewheel affect is addressing the lug nuts spinning at 520 revs per mile within this apocalyptic flow of air at the front of the vehicle," Fleck explained.

The new wheel covers are lightweight and durable and are priced to allow fleets to realize a faster return on their investment.

“With no low pressure troughs on its face, the various finishes live long and stay clean through the most challenging environments. The covers float entirely free of the wheel,” says a press release.

A simple, rigged fastener design offers instant on/off access to the wheel end. Sensory feedback assures the user of the wheel cover's secure and accurate installation

Deflecktor offers these wheel covers in a durable injected polymer that feature several finish choices; mirror chrome, painted silver (11 coats), optically clear polycarbonate, and an injected color of choice. All metal components are aerospace-quality stainless that are entirely sourced in the USA. Assembly occurs in the St Croix River Valley of Minnesota and Wisconsin, where most research and development happens.

This clear cover illustrates the attaching mechanism. Photo: Deborah Lockridge

This new Deflecktor cover is aggressively priced to ensure the fastest ROI. The Deflecktor design has multiple worldwide patents pending.

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Economic Watch: Manufacturing Surges, Construction Rebounds

Manufacturing activity in the U.S. turned higher in September, hitting its highest level in 13 years, according to newly released survey results of supply executives. A separate report showed construction spending rebounded after two straight monthly drops.

The Institute for Supply Management's index of manufacturing activity registered 60.8% for September, an increase of two percentage points from the August reading. That's its highest level since January 2004, with 17 of 18 manufacturing industries reporting growth last month.

A reading over 50% indicates the manufacturing sector is expanding, while below 50% signals contraction. This latest reading was far better than a slight downturn expected in a poll of analysts.

The New Orders Index registered 64.6%, an increase of 4.3 percentage points from the August reading, while the Production Index registered 62.2%, a 1.2 percentage point increase. The Employment Index registered 60.3%, an increase of 0.4 of a percentage point from the August level.

"Order input continues at a strong pace, averaging 61.6% since December 2016, setting the pace for production activity," said Timothy Fiore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "Production remains at strong growth levels in most industries, in spite of weather conditions and supplier delivery constraints experienced during the period.”

A separate, similar survey from the financial information services provider IHS Markit showed a further improvement in operating conditions across the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Its U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index registered 53.1 in September, up slightly on the preliminary reading of 53 and rising from 52.8 in August. The upturn signaled a slight pick-up in growth momentum and a strong improvement in overall operating conditions across the sector.

Like the ISM report, a reading above 50 in the IHS Markit survey indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector.

Despite the overall increase in September, Chris Williamson, chief business ...Read the rest of this story

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